Play at Roland Garros or other red clay options?

I am taking a trip to Paris in early July. It would be amazing to hit on a court at Roland Garros while there. I know it is probably a long shot, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask if anyone has been able to do this. If it is impossible to play at RG, does anyone have a recommendation for some red clay courts that I could play on while in Paris? It seems that most of the public courts I have found online are hard courts.

I am taking a trip to Paris in early July. It would be amazing to hit on a court at Roland Garros while there. I know it is probably a long shot, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask if anyone has been able to do this. If it is impossible to play at RG, does anyone have a recommendation for some red clay courts that I could play on while in Paris? It seems that most of the public courts I have found online are hard courts.

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My understanding is that the courts at RG are not in playing readiness, except during the tourney, though they supposedly have a great tour where they take you onto the courts to check them out.

One of the posters in Paris might step in with some info. But if not, check with hotel staff (if you're staying in a hotel). They should be able to help you book a court at a decent club or give you info on public courts.

I confirm all public courts in Paris are hard courts. To play on clay you'll need to go to a club that has clay and find out whether you can play on their courts + how much they will charge you... Unfortunately most clubs are outside of Paris. Inside Paris you can google PUC (Paris Universite Club), Paris Racing Club, there are probably a few others.

For a future vacation, try Montecatini, in Italy. My wife and I spent a week there once -- it's a 20 minute train ride west of Florence, easy travel to Lucca, Pisa, Siena, etc. What's great is that there's a large public park with a red clay facility that hosted some of Italy's Davis Cup matches when Panatta was active. About 10 gorgeous clay courts, 3 of them in a bubble in the event of rain, one of them in a small stadium setting, all of them available for about 10 Euros an hour, with a teaching pro who has a roster of fine players from which he'll make matches for you. Had a terrific time there.

Thanks for all of the info guys. I think I will probably just stick to the tour at RG due to the difficulty of getting on a red clay court. I need to keep perspective that I can play tennis anytime, but that I won't be back in Europe any time soon. It does seem a shame that any old duffer can go play golf at Pebble Beach or St. Andrews if they shell out enough money, but it is impossible for tennis fans to play at the most famous venues in the world.

Thanks for all of the info guys. I think I will probably just stick to the tour at RG due to the difficulty of getting on a red clay court. I need to keep perspective that I can play tennis anytime, but that I won't be back in Europe any time soon. It does seem a shame that any old duffer can go play golf at Pebble Beach or St. Andrews if they shell out enough money, but it is impossible for tennis fans to play at the most famous venues in the world.

It does seem a shame that any old duffer can go play golf at Pebble Beach or St. Andrews if they shell out enough money, but it is impossible for tennis fans to play at the most famous venues in the world.

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Amen. Tennis still has quite a bit of snobbery. I had my hotel in Rome arrange for a hit on red clay last yr. When I arrive they asked to verify my 'club affiliation'. I explained I didn't belong to a club - there are 40 tennis courts within a few miles of my house and work. Even told them I was willing to pay a reasonable amount for the instructor's time and the court. They never responded. Sad.

Note: not sure if it's the case anymore but at one time you had to be a 18 handicap or better to play The Old Course.